History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc., Part 108

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052

USA > Wisconsin > History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. > Part 108

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF JUNEAU COUNTY.

just and holy life he led. He was succeeded by Rev. Fa- ther Gilbert, the present pastor and resident priest of the parish, who is also assisted by Father Gesseler. The juris- diction of this parish includes St. Paul's at New Lisbon ; St. Francis Xavier, Necedah; St. Michael's at Lindina. He also celebrates a monthly mass at the missions of Camp Douglas and Wernerville. Father Gilbert is one of those conscientious, hard-working men who always command the love and respect of their people, and is an honor to the

present year, the church has been moved back forty feet from the original site, enlarged and rebuilt, a fine large tower added, and now presents a fine appearance. It is valued at $2,600, and the parsonage, situated at the corner of Docksteader and State streets, a neat little cottage house, at $1,250.

The church is situated on State street, at the head of Oak; has a large audience room with a seating capacity of 350, on the first floor, and church parlors, lecture and

MAUSTON.

church he represents. He is a native of Italy, was edu- cated at Rome, where he was ordained in 1865. He be- longs to the Order of Franciscans; completed his studies at Allegany, and from that place was sent to Mauston. His congregation numbers 600 members, and he has a most laborious mission.

The Methodist Episcopal organization dates back to 1854, and was the first Methodist mission established in Ju- neau County. It belongs to the West Wisconsin Confer- ence, and is the principal church of the county, both in membership and wealth. It was organized by Rev. W. C. Armstrong, the original class consisting of Rev. Ira A. Swetland, wife and daughter and Rev. W. C. Armstrong, wife and daughter, from which time the church has had a slow but steady growth up to the present time, and now numbers 140 members. The church was built by Rev. R. Fancher in 1857. Intimately connected with the first six years of mission work in the county is Rev. Ira A. Swet- land, one of the early settlers of Mauston. During the

class-room in the basement. The pastor, Rev. G. W. L. Brown, is now serving his second year. He is an honest, thoughtful, hard-working man, whose only interest is the welfare of his charge. W. G. Spence is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which numbers fifteen teachers, 125 scholars, and has a library of 300 volumes.

The remaining societies are as yet in their infancy, their membership being small. Three of them are at present without pastors. Their property is valued at 83,500.

The first and foremost among Mauston's benevolent so- cieties, is the fraternity of Free Masonry. They have here a Blue Lodge and a Royal Arch Chapter. Their lodge- rooms are beautifully furnished, and they occupy a promi- nent position among the leading and best ones of the State. The lodge is called Northern Light, No. 81, instituted Sept. 21, 1856, and has eighty-seven members enrolled. It is sound financially, and its deeds of charity have many times proved to be more than empty promises, bringing comfort to many distressed homes. The present officers are : B. F

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Parker, W. M .; S. W. Wilcox, S. W .; C. W. Barney, J. W .; C. Lyon, treasurer ; W. G. Spence, secretary.

The Chapter is called Mauston Chapter, No. 33, was in- stituted June 14, 1866, and its jurisdiction embraces Juneau and parts of adjoining counties. It owns a magnificent re- galia and carries on its rolls the names of eighty-six com- panions. The present officers are : P. R. Briggs, H. P .; M. Temple, K .; W. G. Spence, S .; C. Lyon, treasurer ; B. N. Souther, secretary.

Mauston Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 290, was instituted May 8, 1879, by District Deputy, C. K. Ervin, of Tomah. The charter members were : H. S. Spaulding, G. C. Gard- ner, Abel Brownwall, W. R. Irish, H. C. Strong, P. C Nel- son, George Cower; forty additional members have since been added, the lodge now numbering forty-eight members. The present officers are: W. A. Sikes, N. G .; B. C. Dock- stader, V. G .; William Russell, R. S .; C. N. Holden, P. S .; Andrew Ely, treasurer; William Koehler, trustee.

The order of I. O. G. T. was introduced into Wiscon- sin in 1856. The Grand Lodge headquarters are located at Mauston, and are in charge of Grand Secretary B. F. Parker, who is now serving his eighth year. At the time of Mr. Parker's election, the order numbered only 7,000 members and 112 lodges. It now numbers 20,000 members and about 500 lodges. The supplies of the order are kept at this office, and its receipts and disbursements amount to $10,000 per year. The lodge located at Mauston, Advance Guard, No. 261, was instituted in April, 1865, and has en- rolled the names of over 500 members.

There are sixteen lodges in this county, with a member- ship of 800. The officers of the Grand Lodge of Wiscon- sin are : Theodore D. Kanouse, G. W. C. T .; P. Allen, Jr., G. W. C .; Mrs. J. A. Brown, G. V. T .; B. F. Parker, G. S .; Mrs. L. W. Parker, G. T .; M. Knight, A. G. S .; Miss Em- ma Sprague, G. S. J. T .; Rev. L. F. Cole, G. C .; H. L. Pound,G. M .; Miss Eva Goodrich, G. D. M .; Mrs. J. Gregg, G. I. G .; Joseph Becauhord, G. S .; H. Foster, P. G. W. C. T.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen is an order an- cient only in the foundation principles, which are mutual aid and assistance ; was first organized in Meadville, Pa , about twelve years ago, and has become so popular with the people that it has spread over the whole United States, and numbers nearly 100,000 members. It is distinctly an insur- ance order. Each member who has taken the third degree is insured for the sum of $2,000 for the benefit of his family or friend named. The order in any State numbering more than 2,000 members may, by request, become a separate beneficiary jurisdiction. Wisconsin became such in 1879. There are 4,000 members in the State. The lodge in this village, Mauston Lodge, No. 11, is in a flourishing condi- tion, and under an efficient corps of officers.

The Mauston Light Guards rank second to none, as a military organization, in the State. It was organized, August 31, 1869, with Ilon. John Turner as captain, and was the third company organized in the State, the two older compa- nies being the Sheridan Guards, of Milwaukee, organized June 23, 1869, and the Manitowoc Company, organized July

18, 1869. Its roster carries seventy-five men, and it holds itself ready to drill with any company in the State. The regular uniform is navy blue with white facings, the same style as the Seventh Regiment of New York National Guards, except the facings, which are bright red. It owns eleven tents, sufficient for the accommodation of the com- pany, and a full set of camp equipage. It also possesses two beautiful silk standards of national colors, one of which was presented by the ladies of Mauston. They also own a Zouave uniform, consisting of blue jackets, red caps and breeches, with white leggings, which is worn on dress occa- sions and exhibition drills. The present commissioned officers are : B. F. Parker, captain ; Richard Powers, first lieutenant ; G. H. Winsor, second lieutenant; Quarter-mas- ter, Hon. John Turner.

The Bank of Mauston is a well known, reliable institu- tion, situated at the corner of Division and State streets. It was opened in 1869 by J. B. Rosecrantz, who after running it a short time was taken sick, and being unable to continue the business, sold out to Mr. P. R. Briggs, the present senior partner, who continued it until 1880, when he admitted his son, Mr. B. W. Briggs, as a partner. The business is now conducted under the name of P. R. Briggs & Son. The capital of the bank is $12,000, with resources reaching $25,000. The amount of its deposits average $25,000, be- sides doing a 'large collection and exchange business. It annually issues drafts and certificates of deposit amounting to $300,000, besides paying out $350,000 on checks drawn by business men and depositors. It has the confidence of the public here as well as elsewhere.

The Mauston Mills are owned by B. Boorman, one of those energetic, careful business men who are always found intimately connected with the prosperity of every thriving village. The Lemonweir River furnishes an inexhaustible water power, and has a head of ten feet fall. The grist mill contains five run of stone, is furnished with all modern im- provements for the manufacture of fine grades of flour, and has a capacity of 150 barrels per day. It annually consumes from 40,000 to 50,000 bushels of wheat, from 30,000 to 35,- 000 bushels of buckwheat, and grinds for customers 30,000 bushels of wheat. It manufactures some 60,000 bushels of feed, the bulk of which goes into the pineries. The busi- ness of the mill reaches $100,000 per year, and gives employ- ment to twelve men. The saw mill does a business of $20,000, and when in operation employs twenty-five men. In addition to these two enterprises, Mr. Boorman has added a third, that of a carding mill, which also earns a handsome income for its owner, and is a valuable auxiliary to the gen- eral business of the village.

The New Process Grist and Flouring Mills, Mauston, White, Train & Co., proprietors. In size it is 22x48 feet, with an engine room 18x40; steam power engine 8x18, forty horse power. The mill has three run of stone and an iron feed mill; has two twenty feet bolting reels, and is furnish- ed with the most improved machinery, including one of Kurth's patent cockle separator and Richardson's dustless oat separator combined ; also Richmond's combined beater

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HISTORY OF JUNEAU COUNTY.

and adjustable Brush smut machines, and one of Smith's purifiers.

The Mauston Plow and Iron Works, Foundry and Plain- ing Mill, Theodore Carter, proprietor, B. M. Carter, man- ager. These works were built in 1870 by a joint stock con- pany, B. Boorman, president. Size of buildings average length, 120 feet ; average with, sixty feet ; employs ten to twelve men ; has a capacity to turn out 2,500 plows, and 100 tons of castings annually ; manufacture planers, matchers, grist-mill and saw-mill machinery, iron rails and columns, iron fence and water-wheels, steam engines built and re- paired. The power used is from a twenty horse power en gine, 8x12.

Although Mauston stands at the head of the county in temperance and good order, the brewery of Messrs. H. Run- kel & Co. is one of the most successful business houses of the village. It has a capacity of 2,000 barrels per year, and its reputation is among the first in the State. It brews an average of 700 barrels per year, and consumes 2,000 bushels of barley. It is a large, commodious structure, complete in every detail. The vaults are hewn out of the solid rock and show a temperature of 4° below zero. Its trade com- mands not only the immediate vicinity but much is shipped to adjoining counties.

Trade in farm machinery is one of the many business in- terests of this prosperous little village. The principal houses are those of Case, Arntz & Co., and J. C. Wetherby. It is estimated that the receipts of this branch of business will net fully $75,000.

Mr. Sanford Phillips is the proprietor of an elevator do- ing a business of $50,000 per year. It also furnishes a market for all kinds of farm produce.

The produce business is more particularly represented by Messrs. Plummer & Stewart. They handle a large amount of live stock, besides dressed beef and all farm produce; also one of the heavy businesses of Mauston, in its season, is the purchase of railroad ties, cord-wood. piles, etc. Over 60,000 ties are sold annually. In addition to all this Maus- ton has plow and iron works where any thing in the line of a first class machine shop can be found, and castings are made, from the parts of a sewing machine to the heav- iest shafting, of which Mr. B. M. Carter is proprietor. Mr. William More is proprietor of a large pickle factory which is a fast growing business, and becoming one of the perma- nent interests of the town. It furnishes employment for numerous coopers and barrel makers, a market for hoop- poles and stave bolts. Just outside the village is the nur- sery of Mr. C. M. Potter, which disposes annually of about 14,000 trees and shrubs of various kinds, and bids fair to become a large business.

" To further show the business of Mauston, we here pre- sent the following report, taken from the balance sheet of Mr. A. C. Carter, station agent in charge of the C., M. & St. P. R. R., at this village, showing the amount of freight per different commodities, shipped from Mauston annually: wheat, 52,700 lbs; buckwheat, 246,000; rye, 46,360; bar- ley, 113,800 ; oats, 239, 180 ; potatoes, 901,540 ; beans, 24,-

940 ; grass seed, 31,360; hops, 88,810 ; cranberries, 25,810 ; flour, 1,324,425 ; mill feed, 567,710 ; dressed hogs, 3.155; hay, 60,000 ; cheese, 630; eggs, 26,310 ; butter, 22,070; tallow, 4,380 ; wool, 19,540 ; hides, 22,940 ; scrap iron, 23,- 400 ; merchandise, 121,185 ; agricultural, 50,840 ; horses, 56,000 ; cattle, 572,000 ; hogs, 324,000 ; lumber, 1,245,740 ; stave bolts, 157,600; hoop-poles, 24,000; slab wood, 288,- 000 ; empty, 42,640 ; miscellaneous, 672,155 ; pickets, 246,- 710. Total, 7,592,357 lbs. Amount paid for freight on same, $9,223.74. Amount paid for tickets, $6,565.40. Total amount of freight received, 3,858,633 lbs.

In this age of intelligence, the post-office is a sure indi- cation of the success of any village. At Mauston it is located at the corner of State and Division streets, in the Bank building, and is in charge of Postmaster M. N. Briggs. The average number of letters received in a day reaches 500, other matter 150. The salary of the Postmaster is $1,200. The office has 309 private boxes, twenty-one lock boxes, and does a business of $30,000 per year.

The first post-office at Mauston was situated at the junction of Mansion and Union streets, and was called Maughs' Mill, J. M. Maughs, Postmaster. It was kept in this part of the village until about the year 1860, when it was removed to its present location.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN H. ALLISSON, Clerk of the Circuit and County courts, Juneau County, was born at Schellsburg, Bedford Co .. Pa., Jan. 13, 1846, When seventeen years of age. he enlisted in Co. E, 21st Pa. Cavalry, for six months ; served his term and in 1864, re-enlisted for three years in Co. I, same regiment. At the battle of Amelia Springs, April 5, 1865, he received a gun-shot wound in the left thigh, producing a fracture and subsequent ossification of the knee and ankle joints. He was transferred from one hospital to another until he finally was left at the Hicks Hospital, Baltimore, where he submitted to the amputation of the leg, Feb. 16, 1866. The surgeons deemed this a case of such peculiar interest, that a report of it covering sixty-eight pages of manu- script was filed in the Medical Museum at Washington. In May, 1867, he moved to Western, Linn Co., Iowa. Here he attended the Western College for five years. In 1873, he visited his native State, remaining a year, and in 1874, returned to Wisconsin and made his home at Elroy, Juneau Co. While at this place he served three years as principal of the High School. In the Fall of 1880, he was elected Clerk of the Court, and entered upon the duties of the office, Jan 3, 1881. Mr. Allis- son was married, Oct. 4, 1865, at Ontario, Wis., to Miss Fanny Munger, daughter of Elon Munger. Mrs. Allisson was born in Oconomowoc. They have two children, James W. aged four years, and Cora A. aged two years.

ISAAC L. ALSBACHER, of the firm of Alsbacher & Barker, deal- ers in general merchandise and manufacturers of, and dealers in, har- nesses, State street. Mr. Alsbacher is the son of A. Louis Alsbacher ; was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 3, 1838 ; served a regular appren- ticeship at the harnessmaker's trade in his native country ; came to the United States in 1854, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, about six months, working at his trade; he then went to Coldwater, Mich., where he worked about the same length of time; he then came to Wisconsin. After visiting several cities in this State, he finally located at Mauston, and opened the first harness shop in the county. Ile has since estab- lished branches, for the sale of harness, at Wonewoc, New Lisbon and Lyndon. In 1867, in addition to his other business, he opened a farm in the vicinity of Mauston, and engaged in hop growing; is now the largest hop grower in the county, having a yard of twenty six acres. Ile was married in October, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Barker, daughter of Peter and Statira O. Barker. Mrs. Alsbacher was born in Genesee, Waukesha Co., Wis. They have two children, a son, named Louis I., aged twelve years, and a daughter, Lena M., aged ten years. In 1873. Mr. Alsbacher entered into partnership with his wife's father, Mr. l'eter Barker, under the present firm name of Alsbacher & Barker, adding a stock of boots, shoes and general merchandise to the harness business. They are car- rying at this time a stock of $7,000, and also manufacturing harness, employing four men in that department. Mr. A. has been a Trustee of the Village several years, and Treasurer of School District four years. In the Spring of 1881, he was clected Supervisor of the Town,

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

J. C. BALDWIN, traveling agent for Case Wagon Company, Maus- ton, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in July, 1844. He received a common school education, and helped his father, who was engaged in Jumbering. At the age of seventeen, he came to Mauston, his parents having settled there the year previous, and engaged in farming, which he followed until the Spring of 1873, when he engaged in the agricult- ural implement business for two years; the following three years he spent traveling in the interest of Plummer & Stewart. He then traveled for William Case & Co. until June, ISSO, since which time he has been traveling for the Case Wagon Company, of Wonewoc. He is a Demo- crat, and a member of the A. O. U. W. In January, 1871, he was mar- ried to Kate Corwith, who was born in Sank Co., Wis., in 1856. They have three children-Grace, Mark and Bert.

LUTHER BECKWITHI, Mauston, was born in West Moreland, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; came to Wisconsin when he was twelve years of age ; was married in Delavan, Wis., Nov. 29, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth M.

MRS. E. M. BECKWITH.

Clute. Mr. Beckwith went to California in 1853, and remained there three years and seven months. After his return he moved to Mauston ; enlisted from Juneau County in the late war ; was elected Sheriff of Ju- neau County, and served in that capacity in 1867 and 1868. At the time of his death he was Assessor of the village of Mauston,

PETER BARKER, merchant, of the firm of Alsbacher & Barker, was born in Schuylerville, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb. 26, 1818; came to Wisconsin in 1840, and located at Genesee, Waukesha Co. (then Mil- waukee County) ; was engaged in farming a few years, and then formed a partnership with J. S. Loomis, in the village of Genesee, in the mer- cantile business, under the firm name of Loomis & Barker. Mr. Loomis

was succeeded by a Mr. Treadway, and the firm name changed to Tread- way & Barker. Mr. Barker continued this connection until 1865, when he moved to Manston in December of that year. In 1867, he engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. S. Phillips, under the firm name of Barker & Phillips, and continued a member of that firm until 1873. when he engaged in his present business with Mr. Alsbacher. Mr. Barker was married, Jan. 14, 1840, at Sheridan, N. Y., to Miss Statira O. Loomis, daughter of Nathaniel and Desdamona (Simons) Loomis. Mrs. Barker was born in Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. They have three children-Mary E. (now Mrs. I. L. Alsbacher), of Mauston ; Francis J. (now Mrs. John W. Remington), and Carrie D. (now Mrs. W. H. Craine), of Colorado.

CHARLES W. BARNEY, Register of Deeds, Mauston, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 6, 1842; came to Wisconsin in 1858, with his parents, locating at Ripon. In the Fall of that year, moved to Juneau County, and engaged in farming. Jan. 30, 1869, he was married, at Wonewoc, to Miss Mary H. Davis, daughter of Hon. R. H. Davis, one of Sauk County's earliest pioneers, and who was murdered near his mill, at Lemonweir, on the night of Sept. 22, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- ney have four sons-Charles R., aged eleven years; Arthur W., aged ten ; Robert D., aged eight, and Harry W., aged six. Right after his marriage, Mr. B. moved to Mauston, and engaged in blacksmithing, continuing in business at that place till the Fall of that year, when he moved to Lemonweir, and entered upon the same business there, and continued it till the death of Mr. Davis, when he engaged as book- keeper at the mill for the heirs. The following August, he moved to Wonewoc, and engaged in a grist and flouring mill at that place ; was there only a few months, when, owing to the property changing hands, he left it and resumed his trade of blacksmithing. which he continued until the Fall of 1871, when he moved to Elroy, and engaged in the grist mill at that place for a few months, and then returned to Wonewoc and resumed his trade again, which he continued only a short time, when he engaged with Kieth & Paddock, at La Valle. In the Fall of 1872, he returned to Lemonweir, and formed a partnership with his brother- in-law, Robert H. Davis, in the milling business, continuing this con- nection till the Summer of 1875, when he moved to Mauston and en- gaged as clerk for Phillips & Case, merchants, where he remained until elected to the office of Register of Deeds, in the Fall of 1880.

H. W. BARNEY, lawyer. The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1840, where he lived eighteen years, during which time he received a good education, attending the last four years at Union Academy, of Belleville, N. Y. In 1858, he came with his par- ents to Juneau Co., Wis., and until 1861, was engaged in teaching school and surveying, when he went to New York City and served as clerk in the transcript department of the New York post-office for one year ; then he served as assistant secretary of the post-office one year. He was then employed in the cashier department of the New York custom-house un- til 1866, when he returned to Juneau Co., Wis., and again followed teaching and surveying, until 1869. He then went to Menomonee Co., Mich., and was appointed County Surveyor, and served until Winter, when he again came to Juneau Co., Wis., and followed surveying until 1871. 1n 1871, Mr. Barney turned his attention to law, reading with H. H. Hatch, of New Lisbon ; was admitted to the bar in October, 1873. In October, 1874, he came to Wonewoc, where he has become one of the most prominent lawyers of the county. He is now District Attorney, to which office he was elected in 1879. March, 1880, Mr. B. was married to Emma Colebourn, born in England in 1858. They have one child, Godfrey W., born Dec. 17, 1880.

BENJAMIN BOORMAN, proprietor of the Mauston grist, flour- ing, saw and carding mills, is a member of the firm of E. L. Anderson & Co., dealers in general merchandise ; also of the firm of Anderson & Boorman, dealers in wood and railroad ties. Mr. Boorman was born in Kent Co., England, in 1830 ; came to the United States with his parents in 1840, making his home at Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y. At an early age he engaged as apprentice in the Wadsworth flouring mills, where he served several years. In 1848, he came to Wisconsin with his parents, spending two years on his father's farm, near Delavan. He then went to Delton, Sauk Co , and built the City Mills, and engaged in the manu- facture of flour and feed. Oct. 5, 1859, he was married at Batavia, Ill., to Miss Elizabeth A. Gregg, daughter of John and Jane Gregg. They have had seven children by this marriage, of whom only three are living- William, Jane, and Winnefred ; Elizabeth died at the age of seven, and the three others in infancy. Mr. Boorman continued in business at Delton ten years. In 1864, he came to Mauston, Juneau Co. IIere he bought a grist mill and saw mill, which he ran until 1859, when the whole property was destroyed by fire, by which he sustained a loss of $20,000. The following year, 1870, he built the Mauston grist and flouring mills. These mills are a wooden structure, situated on the north bank of the Lemonweir River ; size, 40x70 feet, three stories high ; and run by water power, They have five runs of stone, and have a capacity of 150 barrels of flour and twenty tons of feed daily. The power is abundant, having an eight-foot head; the pond extends four miles above the mill, and covers 2,000 acres. Mr. B. is making arrangements to build a second flouring mill, on the latest improved roller plan. In 1873, he built a saw

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HISTORY OF JUNEAU COUNTY.

mill on the south bank of the Lemonweir River ; size, 50x80 feet. It is a double rotary mill, with complete sets of edgers, trimmers, and lath mill, and has a capacity of 40,000 feet per twenty-four hours. The logs sawed are from the Lemonweir Valley. He also built a building 22x40 feet, which is used for a carding mill, and is situated adjacent to the saw mill. The carding mill is run by C. E. Hungerford, and has a capacity of 200,000 pounds a season. Jan. 31, 1874, Mr. Boorman was called on to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death occurred at this date. He was married July 19, 1875, at Mauston, to Miss Margaret A. Hall, daughter of George and Mary Hall. Two children were born to them ; the eldest, George H., died when three years of age ; the second, an infant son, is unnamed. In the Fall of 1877, Mr. B. built a fine brick residence, at a cost of $12.000.

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Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1052

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052